Q&A: Oklahoma signee, RB Keith Ford

Keith Ford is taking his game to Norman. (J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle)

Keith Ford, Cypress Ranch

How excited are you that this part is over with?

I think I’m ready for the challenge and just going to school and having a change in lifestyle.

Why Oklahoma after you weighed everything and all the choices?

I just felt a lot from the coaches and you have to have that if you’re going to stay somewhere. You have to be comfortable and both my parents are comfortable. So that was a big factor – my parents being comfortable in where I’ll be going to school.

How big is comfort in recruiting?

I went up there for a camp and just the way they were coaching – very energetic and it just made me want to work. I liked that. I’ve been to all these other schools they were, ‘Oh, we send these people to the draft.’ and this and that. I felt that sometimes they weren’t telling me the truth.

(OU) coaches seemed very straightforward and said not what you wanted to hear, but he told you the truth. So that played a big part.

Did you know Oklahoma was the one early?

I took a while to think about it. Other schools were looking at me too. When I got there, it was just a place that worked hard – I could tell – with all the players and the program.

What advice would you give someone on this process?

Look at the coaches and look at if they’re telling you the truth about their school or if they just want you there just to be there. My dad said to look at what education they offer and stuff like that – don’t look at just football. There’s a scholarship and you go to school for free, so you have to be comfortable at that school.

How was helping build Cy Ranch as a program?

Just the work that we had to put in. Last year to this year, we pushed ourselves tons. Everyday in offseason, during the season and in the summer. Just those little things – everybody got together and everybody made a commitment as a team to get better as a team.

How fun was this season?

Really fun. Going to the playoffs – I miss going on those roadtrips, eating at Luby’s with my teammates and goofing around before and after the games. But it all comes to an end someday. There are good memories though.

With football becoming more passing, how do you approach it?

Everybody has a role on the team, going from the offensive, quarterback, running back and receivers. Everybody has a role.

Now stepping into college, I know I was one of the best players at my school, but when I get there, everybody was the best player at their school. I just have to focus on playing my role, competing – that’s a big thing with me – and not singling myself out.